Device and method for the simulation of samples of airborne substances

Abstract

An air sampling device and method to produce simulated samples of airborne substances obtained from institutional and industrial facilities. The device features 1) an environment container, 2) an ejector for introducing a contaminant into the container environment, 3) a sample collection holder to hold a filter, 4) a pump to withdraw the container environment and contaminant out of the container in a fashion that allows collection of the contaminant on the filter, and 5) a container inlet to allow replacement environment to enter the container.

We claim: 
     
       1. An air sampling device for producing a contaminant test sample for use in development, testing, and validation of analytical detection and analysis methodology, said device comprising a sampling container having: a. a container environment contained therein;   b. a contaminant introduction inlet means for introducing an air-borne contaminant and a co-contaminant into said container environment;   c. a sample collection port means for collecting said air-borne contaminant and said co-contaminant from said container environment to afford said contaminant test sample; and   d. a replacement environment inlet means for entry of a replacement environment into said sampling container.   
     
     
       2. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a filter means attached to said container for removing unwanted contaminants from said replacement environment. 
     
     
       3. The device according to claim 1 further comprising means for opening and closing said sampling container so as to allow access to the interior of said container. 
     
     
       4. The device according to claim 1 further comprising an injector attached to said container for contaminant introduction through said contaminant introduction inlet means. 
     
     
       5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said injector is an eductor. 
     
     
       6. The device according to claim 4 wherein said injector is a nebulizer. 
     
     
       7. The device according to claim 4 wherein said injector is a dust generator. 
     
     
       8. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a first injector attached to said container for liquid contaminant introduction through said contaminant introduction inlet means and a second injector attached to said container for solid contaminant introduction through a second contaminant introduction inlet. 
     
     
       9. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a sample collection holder means attached to said container for collecting said contaminant test sample from said sample collection port means. 
     
     
       10. The device according to claim 9 with said sample collection holder means having a passage therethrough and comprising: a. a cylindrical upper section;   b. a frusto-conical midsection;   c. a tubular lower section;   d. a perforated plate mounted in said cylindrical upper section for supporting a filter with a portion of said cylindrical upper section extending above said plate;   e. a holding ring releasably secured to said holder means; and   f. a resilient O-ring placed between said filter and said holding ring.   
     
     
       11. The device according to claim 10 further comprising a nonstick circular flat washer placed between said O-ring and said filter. 
     
     
       12. The device according to claim 10 wherein said sample collection holder means is attached to said container by means of a resilient stopper. 
     
     
       13. The device according to claim 1 with said sampling container comprising a cylinder with closed ends. 
     
     
       14. The device according to claim 13 wherein at least one of said ends is removable and attached to said cylinder using an intervening resilient sealing material. 
     
     
       15. The device according to claim 13 with a plurality of said sample collection port means arranged around a circumference of said cylinder equidistant from each other and near one of said cylinder ends. 
     
     
       16. The device according to claim 15 wherein said replacement environment inlet means is located in said cylinder end opposite said end near said plurality of said sample collection port means. 
     
     
       17. The device according to claim 16 further comprising a replacement environment filter attached to said container to remove unwanted contaminants from said replacement environment. 
     
     
       18. The device according to claim 15 further comprising a flow regulator for regulating the flow of said container environment through said plurality of said sample collection port means. 
     
     
       19. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a vacuum pump for withdrawing said container environment from said sampling container. 
     
     
       20. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a flow regulator means for regulating the flow of said container environment from said sampling container. 
     
     
       21. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a fan for circulating and mixing at least one of said contaminant and said co-contaminant with said container environment. 
     
     
       22. An air sampling device for producing a contaminant test sample for use in development, testing, and validation of analytical detection and analysis methodology, said device comprising: a. a sampling container;   b. a container environment contained in said container;   c. a connector means attached to said container and serving as a common passage for entry of a contaminant and a replacement environment into said container;   d. an injector means attached to said connector means for introducing a contaminant into said container environment through said common passage;   e. a filter means attached to said container for collecting a contaminant test sample from a mixture of said contaminant and said container environment;   f. a pump means attached to said container for moving said contaminant and said container environment through said filter means so as to collect said contaminant test sample on said filter;   g. a container inlet means to allow a replacement environment and a contaminant to enter said container through said connector means; and   h. an inlet filter means attached to said connector means for removing unwanted impurities from said replacement environment.   
     
     
       23. The air sampling device of claim 22 wherein said injector means is a nebulizer. 
     
     
       24. The air sampling device of claim 22 further comprising a second injector means attached to said container for introducing a co-contaminant into said container environment. 
     
     
       25. The air sampling device of claim 24 wherein said injector means is a nebulizer and said second injector means is an eductor. 
     
     
       26. A method of preparing a contaminant test sample for use in development, testing, and validation of analytical detection and analysis methodology, said method comprising: a. simultaneously 1) removing a container environment through a filter;   2) adding a replacing environment to said container;     b. adding a contaminant to and mixing said contaminant with said container environment while said container environment is being withdrawn and replaced;   c. continuing to withdraw said container environment from said container through said filter after said contaminant has been added until said contaminant test sample is collected.   
     
     
       27. The method according to claim 26 further comprising the step of filtering said replacing environment prior to adding to said container. 
     
     
       28. The method of claim 26 wherein said contaminant is a liquid. 
     
     
       29. The method of claim 26 wherein said contaminant is a solid. 
     
     
       30. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of adding a co-contaminant to and mixing said co-contaminant with said container environment while said container environment is being withdrawn and replaced.